A story about a TV meteorologist last week caused a thunderbolt response from one of the weatherman’s competitors.
Mike Costa, general manager of WTVC-TV NewsChannel 9, took issue with the Times Free Press’ Monday front-page story highlighting WRCB Channel 3 Chief Meteorologist Paul Barys, calling the story a “puff piece.”
The story, about how Barys reported on the devastating tornadoes of April 27, 2011, also quoted NewsChannel 9 Chief Meteorologist David Glenn, but focused on Barys, who was in the accompanying photo.
Costa said in an email that the newspaper favored Channel 3 because we are “marketing partners.” The Times Free Press and Channel 3 do have a partnership, but it is more about journalism than marketing.
Like many newspaper and television stations across the country, we promote each other’s work, share stories and video and collaborate on stories. We also link to each other’s online content. On occasion, we have shared news tips, information or sources or have bent each other’s ear on issues related to journalistic ethics and whether to run or air something.